103 



whether the mineral occurs in the metallic condition under these 

 circumstances, or whether it may not exist in combination with the 

 associated ores in the form of an hypothetical sulphide. At any 

 rate, the percentage of gold obtainable from any given quantity of 

 ore is usually so small that, in the majority of cases, it might 

 almost as well be left unmenlioned. 



In regard to the second species, Silver, the same kind of 

 difficulty exists. Silver, in the form of Native Silver, has never 

 yet been found in our district, so far as I can learn, except in 

 intimate association with other ores. 



Considerable quantities of Silver are, as is well known, 

 extracted by Pattinson's and other processes from the Galena 

 raised in the two Counties. In 1873 the Greenside Mines alone 

 yielded 16,000 ounces of silver from 942 tons of lead, which is in 

 the proportion of about seventeen ounces to the ton. Smaller 

 quantities have been found to exist in other ores, especially in 

 Fahlerz ; but it is not known for certain whether this silver occurs 

 in the metallic, or uncombined state, or whether it exists, as it is 

 considered to do by many competent authorities, in the form of 

 the sulphide, Argentite, which is ismorphous with Galena. 



Native Lead, one hears of now and then as having been found 

 in one or other of the mines around us ; but any well-authenticated 

 instance of its occurrence under circumstances that leave no doubt 

 that its metallic condition is due to the action of purely natural 

 causes does not seem yet to have been brought forward. 



The occurrence of one metal, at all events, seems beyond a 

 doubt. The world-renowned mines of the Caldbeck Fells, Brandy 

 Gill especially, have now and then yielded indubitable specimens 

 of Native Bismuth. 



Native Bismuth crystaUizes in the hexagonal system ; but the 

 crystallographic form of minerals obtained from the quartz-vein 

 stuff of the Brandy Gill Mines is not always very apparent. The 

 general aspect of our mineral is that of laminar masses of thin 

 plates, which have a bright silvery lustre, and, on the freshly-fractured 

 surface, a tint between that of silver and of copper, which gives 



